Some Desperate Glory

An outstanding novel … one of the debuts of the year – LOCUSBound to make waves as one of the best SF novels of 2023 … [an] expansive story with an action-packed pace full of exciting battles and gut-wrenching twists – BOOKLISTRaw and action packed … This riveting adventure deserves a space on shelves alongside genre titans like Ursula K. Le Guin and Octavia Butler – PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (starred review)This book hit me like a lightning bolt. From the destruction of Earth on the first page, to the human cult on a forgotten space station, to the indoctrinated teen soldier whose narrow worldview Tesh cracks open with pliers, this book is astoundingly good. An explosive and extraordinary story that I couldn’t stop reading and will never forget – Everina Maxwell, author of WINTER’S ORBITMasterful, audacious storytelling. Relentless, unsentimental, a completely wild ride. I had a time. Talk about Mass Effect beating up Brave New World in a dark alley – Tamsyn Muir, New York Times-bestselling author of The Locked Tomb seriesDevastatingly entertaining, horribly funny, Some Desperate Glory swoops through space and time with effortless precision, never pulling a punch or settling for an easy answer. There’s nothing else like it – A. K. Larkwood, author of THE UNSPOKEN NAMEIt blew me away. Tesh unpeels the known world from around her young militants with flawless control, revealing the lies and atrocities beneath-but also the possibility of choice, and compassion. Kyr is a revelatory hero-never have I so fervently wished the worst for someone, only to end up cheering for them… . Fierce and heartbreakingly humane – Shelley Parker-Chan, author of SHE WHO BECAME THE SUNA profoundly humane and brilliantly constructed space opera that will have you cheering, swearing, laughing, and ugly-crying. It’s perfect – Alix E. Harrow, NEW YORK TIMES-bestselling author of THE ONCE AND FUTURE WITCHESThis book will hurt you and you will say thank you. It has everything you’d want in a queer space opera - wit and imagination and adventure, all within a brilliantly constructed world … Reading this feels like bearing witness to something revolutionary … It will change you for the better – Olivie Blake, NEW YORK TIMES-bestselling author of THE ATLAS SIXTesh crams in enough wild inventiveness for an entire trilogy, wrapped around an emotional core that’s powerful and urgent and unmistakeably real – M. R. Carey, bestselling author of THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTSThis is the sort of debut novel every novelist hopes to write. Spectacular from page one – John Scalzi, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of THE KAIJU PRESERVATION SOCIETYTesh writes compellingly…[blending] thrilling action with a mind-bending course in cosmic metaphysics, which keep shifting your sense of what this book is about. If you’re looking for a page-turner with fascinating ideas, then Some Desperate Glory absolutely qualifies – THE WASHINGTON POSTThis sparky debut is a blend of space opera and military SF that refreshes both modes. Some Desperate Glory moves briskly, page-turningly, and provides all the satisfactions of widescreen galactic worldbuilding and adventure as it goes; but it never sacrifices complexity or trades in easy answers … An instant classic – GUARDIANThis brilliant, queer space opera combines smart worldbuilding with nuanced explorations of gender, fascism, racism, and more – BUZZFEEDThis book will turn you inside out and then casually remake you while you wheeze in gratitude. Unflinchingly intense, gloriously queer, and with one of the most finely-crafted and fascinating character journeys I’ve ever read, Some Desperate Glory is space opera at its absolute best – Freya Marske, SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author of A MARVELLOUS LIGHTA monumental journey… . An intriguing space opera and study of radicalization, indoctrination, and what happens when one breaks free in the most absolute way – LIBRARY JOURNAL (starred review)Some Desperate Glory has become one of my early favourites of the year… . [Kyr’s] emotional journey … had me ugly-sobbing on the train – LitHubThe novel … traces the awakening of Kyr’s conscience and her efforts to shake off the chains of a martial, heteronormative upbringing and embrace otherness. If that makes it sound dry and worthy, it is anything but. This is vigorous, action-packed space opera with a progressive slant – Financial TimesIt’s a wonderful, gripping ride with great hardware, brilliantly drawn characters - both human and alien – DAILY MAILSurprised me at every turn … This book has earned a permanent place on my favorites shelf – V. E. Schwab, author of THE INVISISBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE

Emily Tesh is a UK-based author of science fiction and fantasy. Her debut novel, Some Desperate Glory, won the Hugo Award for Best Novel. Tesh is also a winner of the Astounding Award, and the author of the World Fantasy Award-winning Greenhollow duology.